Bavarian Baroque - Nora and Chris

Bavaria is a state in southern Germany that was an independent kingdom until the 19th century. Baroque architectural style was exemplified by curves, plays with shade and light, domes, and intricate paintings. These paintings often had a lot going on, such as pictures of angels, saints, soldiers, or Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Bavaria had many churches built in the 1700's in this style.
The church to the right was done by prominent architect Josef Schmutzer.
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external image PICT0823.JPG


Two other famous artists and architects of the time were the Asam brothers. Cosmos and Egid were born in the late 17th century and became Bavaria's most prominent artists. Below is an example of their work, the Asamkirche in Munich. The style of the building is late Baroque, and the brothers originally built the church for themselves. The painting after was done by Cosmos and has the title "Triumph of Apollo."
external image Muenchen_Asamkirche_2005b.jpg
external image Muenchen_Asamkirche_2005b.jpg


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external image Cosmas_Damian_Asam_001.jpg

Bavaria was a predominantly Catholic place, and reformists were punished or banished during the Protestant Reformation.

The German Composer Richard Wagner owes much of his success to the country of Bavaria. The Bavarian King Ludwig II admired his music so much that he repaid all of Wagner's debts and produced many of his operas, for example the now famous Tristan und Isolde; before the king took him under his wing, Wagner was in financial ruin and he could get no one to put on his operas. Folk music and dancing were also popular in Bavaria.One such dance, called the Schuhplatter, was a courting dance that originated in the 10th century but continued to be an integral tradition. Yodeling is an activity which originated in Bavaria as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fktwPGCR7Yw
An example of Wagner's work from the prelude of Tristan und Isolde.